KidSport kicks goals for Western Australian sport clubs

The number of Western Australian children to have joined sport and recreation clubs throughout the State as a result of the KidSport initiative has reached 13,000.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron said he was particularly pleased that almost half of the children to access KidSport vouchers had never before joined a sport or recreation club.

Minister Waldron explained "not only are these children learning new skills, they will be making new friends and gaining all the benefits that active participation in sport and recreation brings.

"We know that sport is a lot of fun, but we also know that kids' participation in sport gives them a better chance of performing well at school, as well as being physically and mentally healthier."

As part of KidSport, eligible families can receive subsidies for club fees of up to $200 per calendar year for each child aged five to 18.

KidSport, a Sport4All project, is a partnership between the Department of Sport and Recreation and local governments around Western Australia. To date 120 local governments are actively working with the department to deliver the program.

The towns and suburbs where the most kids have accessed KidSport are Albany, Armadale, Busselton, Gosnells and Esperance.

Clubs with the biggest amounts of new members to join through KidSport include Armadale Junior Football Club; Albany Junior Soccer Club; Balga Soccer Club; Nannup Basketball Association; PCYC Armadale; and Southern Sharks Soccer Club.

17th August 2012 - SUPPORT FOR CHILDRENS’ SPORT AND VOLUNTEERS IN WA